Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-13
Hanged for Wife Murder.
PURYEAR ATTEMPTS SUICIDE BEFORE REACHING rHH
GALLONS.

PURYEAR ATTEMPTS SUICIDE BEFORE REACHING THE
GALLONS.
Holmes r. Puryear convicted OF numbering his
wife by poison in Dlnwiddle County, Va, about
two years ago. was hanged at Prince George Court
House yesterday afternoon. Puryear was hand
cufIed because he had manifested decided incli-
nation to effect his escape He had not slept
minute the night before, and about midnight ne
proposed to Mr.. Williams, the death-watch, that
he should become party to his escape. Williams
OF course, refused and later Puryear was hand
any trouble. Sheriff Youngbud, OF Prince George
County, had made all arrangements TO take PlIr-
year az O'clock Friday morning from the Ja in
months, TO Prince George County Jail for execu-
ton. Puryear was called about O'Clock and told
been with him for several nights, was Temporal
rily absent, Puryear made an attempt TO take his
lie by cutting cash In his throat and an artery
In his arm with a shoe-sprng which he had sharp
ened. Physicians were promptly summoned, and
they found that no fatal injury had been inflicted.
This attempt at suicide delayed his departure Tor
the place or execution until 10 4. m, at which
hour be was taken from jail and placed In a car
riage In charge OF the sheriff and two deputies.
Prince George Court House was reached at noon.
About five hundred people mad congregale ed from
curiosity. When Puryear Was removed from the
carriage the wound I'm his arm was found to be
bleeding freely, the bandage having slipped from
the wound, and the prisoner was suffering from
nausea and vomiting. The doctors renewed the
bandages but suggested To the sheriff that II he
did not want the prisoner TO die on his hands he
had better proceed promptly with the execution.
After this he made statement TO the Rev. Mr..
Rosebro, his spiritual adviser, TO the effect that
had he not been betrayed by friend his condi-
ton would soon have not been SO bad, as he ex-
pected TO escape from jail Wednesday or Thurs
day night This disappointment caused him,
under the Impulse or the moment, to attempt his
tre: When he was on the scaffold Puryeir said
that his wire had twice attempted suicide by
poison, and that the third time she succeeded. lie
died without a struggle.
srRYcHNINE IN THE BODY.
Puryear killed his wife June I6, 1885, They
were married in the early part OF January In that
year and six months afterward came TO Petersburg.
taking I'D their residence in a boarding hoase
soon arterward Mrs. Puryear gave birth 10 a child
apparently very much To the indignation OF the
husband. Although the wife insisted that he was
and then and there left her helpless and destitute
house. lou dssminS sSs,l place pSonssa
diately vacate the premises, and the day
Following her confinement mother and child
cold. bleak winters day, with hardly suiiicient
clothing to protect them from the storm, they
started on their journey 10 Puryear's home In
meanwhile been arrested, and was compelled to
accompany his wife nome, policeman acting as
escort 70 prevent him from Offering violence to
her Puryear had only consented 10 return to his
wife upon condition that she would dispose or
the infant, and SO infatuated was the young
wife with her husband that she consented 70
part with the child, which she delivered
To Emily Blackwell, colored woman. The
child subsequently, died. Puryear immedL
atey instituted suit for divorce, but, as he was
unable I'd pay $40 into court, as ordered, be-
fore processing TO take dispositions, the suit was
StopYSed for the time being. Pursea was AFTER
ward induced to 90 back ana live with his wife.
bnt their home in Dinwidd1e was the scene OF
many violent alterations. Puryear constantly
CHARGED his wife with having deceived him; that
the child which was born in Petersburg was not his
offspring, but that its father was man whom she
had known ever since her childhood. The un-
happy wife denied these charges, but failed 10
turn her husbands mood: On Thursday, June IA,
1856 Puryear paid visit TO Petersburg. He
drank heavily, and Il was said he made remarks
that implied threats against the womans lite.
During that visit u Is Thought, ne procured the
deadly drug with which he put an end 10 his wifes
existence. ON the following saturday morning
his wife's place OF residence. Pretending TO
be friendly and to have taken leave OF every feel
ing OF resentment that the past difficulties be-
tween them might have aroused within him, he |
proposed to her TO take o social drink with him.
he mixed two whisky toddies, In one u which he |
put strychnine, gave one 70 his wife and drank
the other HIS wife at 1rst refused TO drink, but
finAliy swallowed the fatal dose. Soon afterward
She was seized with spasms and died before doc
tor could be summoned Before her death she |
CHARGED her husband with having poisoned her l
Puryear was arrested and committed to the county
IAN but threats were made OF Dnching him and |
he MAS brought TO Petersburg for safe keeping.
The YachS1Race Monday.